"Right now, I'm looking forward to being the best kindergarten teacher in Oakland," said Layton-Dixon yesterday. She said she has hired an attorney, but she has made no decision on whether she will fight her reassignment.

Layton-Dixon originally asked to return to teaching, but then changed her mind. Getridge had already decided to reassign her, and then posted the job opening.

That created a community uproar among parents at the school, which is considered one of the most desirable in Oakland because of its academic record and location in a wealthy hills neighborhood. Parents were divided over whether Layton-Dixon should continue in the job she has held for seven years.

"I think things should happen in the open and not behind closed doors," Layton-Dixon said.

The vote means the district will begin reviewing applicants for the Hillcrest job.

The Hillcrest decision ends more than a month of uncertainty among Hillcrest parents -- along with a thorny political situation for Getridge. At one point, Getridge proposed the staff and parents vote by secret ballot on the job, but withdrew the recommendation because of legal concerns.